Rory McIlroy defends decision to play with United States President Donald Trump: ‘It wasn’t an endorsement or a political statement of any kind’ Rory McIlroy has defended his decision to play golf with United States President Donald Trump after the Northern Irishman faced criticism and abuse. The 45th president of the United States is a keen golf fan and owns several courses around the world, and McIlroy accepted an offer to join him on the fairways at Trump International in Florida last weekend.